Highland Industries To Expand Cheraw, S.C. Plant

Kernersville, N.C.-based Highland Industries Inc. — a manufacturer of automotive, government and military, and industrial textiles — will invest $4.1 million to expand its Cheraw, S.C., manufacturing facility and add 24 jobs over the next two years. The company reports increased customer demand for its technical fabrics, which are used in products including automotive parts, military tents and backpacks, rockets and roofing, among other products.

According to Highland Industries, the fabrics are woven or knitted on state-of-the-art equipment at the Cheraw plant, which includes fabric forming and aqueous coating capabilities.

“We have long been committed to South Carolina. Continued investment in our manufacturing capabilities and our people here is the key to our future success,” said Scott Burkhart, director of manufacturing, Highland Industries.

Highland Industries is owned by Takata Corp., a Japan-based manufacturer of automotive safety systems. The company celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Cheraw facility in 2012 (see “Highland Industries Marks 50 Years At Cheraw, S.C., Facility,” TextileWorld.com, May/June 2012), and notes that it maintains zero-landfill status in all of its manufacturing processes.